Nitrate & Nitrite Free Garlic-Herb Cucumber Gazpacho Shooters
Cool, crisp, and loaded with fresh herb flavor, these cucumber gazpacho shooters are the kind of appetizer that disappears fast at any gathering. Every ingredient here is exactly what it looks like — fresh cucumbers, garlic, parsley, mint, chives, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of ginger — so there's no guesswork about hidden additives or preservatives sneaking into your food. That matters a lot when you're avoiding cured or processed ingredients that commonly carry nitrates and nitrites, because even "innocent" store-bought soups and sauces can be surprisingly problematic. This recipe sidesteps all of that entirely by keeping things whole, fresh, and blended from scratch. The technique is straightforward: blend everything smooth, strain it for a silky, pourable texture, then chill until cold and serve in shot glasses for a genuinely elegant presentation. A thin cucumber round and a pinch of fresh parsley on top make them look like something from a catered event, even though the prep is minimal. Whether you're serving them at a party or just treating yourself to something refreshing, these little shooters deliver serious flavor with zero compromise.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 2 large english cucumbers (about 2 lb total), roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves, loosely packed
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ cup cold water, plus more as needed
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- thin cucumber rounds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the chopped cucumber, garlic, parsley, mint, chives, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, ground ginger, and cold water in a blender.
- 2
Blend on high speed until completely smooth, about 60 seconds. If the mixture is too thick to pour easily, add cold water 1 tbsp at a time and blend briefly until it reaches a pourable, slightly viscous consistency.
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